The two smiling folks greeting you as you enter “The Hofbauer House” are my husband Mike, and myself, Kimberly. I do have to admit though… this photo was taken in 1992, almost oh… well, years ago. You will need to add a few more streaks of gray (that’s on Mike, not me!), a bit more padding in places we really don’t want, and a couple more laugh lines around the eyes. Please - no computer aging here!
Mike and I met back in 1990, and of all places - it was bar/dance club! Yup.. “way back then” we both loved to go out and dance the night away, now, as my 19 yr. old son says, we are “old”! After much hedge-hawing around on his part, I finally got him married to me on August 31, 1994! (just like a guy, huh?!) With both of us being divorced in the past, and having children - Mike, one son; and me, three boys - our family definitely has had it’s ups and downs, but we still struggle thru it all! Although, with three teenage boys, it does get quite a bit rowdy when they are all visiting! If you would like to meet the boys, scroll down the page just a wee bit further.
Originally Mike is from Harbor Springs, MI (for those of you not familiar with the area, its waaaaaay up at the top of the mitten, Brrrrr, too cold for me!), and I am from Manheim, PA. Both of us moved to Florida in 1988 and 1987, respectively - Mike for the year-round construction Superintendent work, and me because I began the unique experience of working for Walt Disney World/EPcot Center Attractions. (you know - one of those always cheerful cast members who ask “how many in your party” and tell you to “move alllllll the way across your row” - just when you settled in the perfect seat in the middle of the theater!) Eventually, I also worked for Disney/MGM, Universal Studios and Sea World.
Between 1990 and June 2001, we lived in a little town about 5 miles South of Disney World (which by the way is REALLY in “Kissimmee, Florida, NOT “Orlando”) known as Davenport. While there, Mike worked out of Charlote, NC and on various jobsites in North and South Carolina. In 1999, he was on a jobsite in Charleston, South Carolina - which, to my delight was over the summer months - AND, is my most favorite city in the USA! I have been to quite a few different cities and have found the people of Charleston to be the most helpful, polite and nicest folks around!
In March 2000, we invested in 40 acres located between Lake Havasu City and Kingman, Arizona. The photo is taken at sunset, showing our tent with the Halupi Mountains (southern end of the Rockies) in the background. We haven’t been up to our land much, but, eventually we want to build a smaller home on the property and enjoy our retirement up there. If, of course, all goes as planned!
In June 2001, we closed up our home in Florida, put it up for sale, and drove cross-country out to Phoenix, Arizona. Much closer to our land, don’t ya think?! We recently bought our first home - in July 2002. Mike has moved up in his role in construction and now is an Estimator. We haven’t been up to our land too much, mostly because my dear husband has a thing about sleeping in a tent (and we DO have an inflatable mattress ON a FRAME no less!) Perhaps the beauty of the desert, and where our land is located is best described by the picture to your right!
To see more photos of our land, and of the family, I invite you to visit the links on the left and head on over to our Gallery! Mike enjoys skiing, parasailing, and believe it or not - quiet evenings at home! He loves animals, (though he will insist he doesn’t!) and more often than not, you will see him picking up strays and bringing them back to the house! While we lived in Florida, both Mike and I were actively involved in Puppy Raising for Southeastern Guide Dogs, you can read more about it by clicking on the Puppy Raising section of my site. A terrific father, he has coached Little League for my youngest son and always has the time to sit down and listen to the older boys. He is also a great home carpenter and has turned our home into a comfy and cozy retreat!
I also enjoy Puppy Raising, the computer - I believe I have become permanently attached to the keyboard,reading, (Clive Cussler, Matthew Reilly, Childs & Preston, to name a few - and Time Travel Romance novels); crafts - particularly Herschners Catalog, and the “Wee Crafts” items that come out at Christmas. I’m an avid puzzle putter-together! BUT! All of my puzzles have to be at least 1,000 piece - nothing less (haven’t tried higher than 1,000 piece yet, but it’s only because I don’t have a table large enough to do so!) I also enjoy oil painting (um, I still do the paint-by-numbers though), and I love to bake and cook!
Finally, a very special tribute has been set up to pay respect to our dear lady in our lives, our Doby - Prancer. If you have ever had a special pet enter your lives, you know how much value we place on their companionship, their friendship and their love! Please join us in remembering our girl, and visit her special dedication page - Prancer- one very special lady who entered our lives for a short period of time.